Songs from Prayer Worship Service: “Come, follow me…”

Mark 1:17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”

As we began our inductive study through the book of Mark this past week, today’s prayer worship service focused on the theme of “Follow me,” Jesus’ invitation to his first disciples.

We sang “Follow You,” another song from Leeland’s latest album, Love is On the Move.  This song actually features Brandon Heath on vocals.

Follow You

You live among the least of these
The weary and the weak
And it would be a tragedy for me to turn away

All my needs you have supplied
When I was dead You gave me life
How could I not give it away so freely?

And I’ll follow You into the homes of the broken
Follow You into the world
Meet the needs for the poor and the needy, God
Follow You into the world

Use my hands use my feet
To make Your kingdom come
To the corners of the earth
Until Your work is done

‘Cause faith without works is dead
And on the cross Your blood was shed
So how could we not give it away so freely?

I give all myself.
I give all myself
I give all myself to You

And I’ll follow You into the homes of the broken
Follow You into the world
Meet the needs for the poor and the needy, God
Follow You into the world

We were also blessed by the bluesy and soulful 2003 oldie-but-goodie from Michael Card’s album A Fragile Stone, “I Left Everything To Follow You.”

I Left Everything to Follow You

Though sometimes I grow weary when the road’s getting long
At each point of my weakness You make me strong
And when doubt takes over I remember it’s true
I left everything to follow You

To stay safe or to follow You asked me to choose
But how could I fail when I’ve got nothing left to lose?
Without Your call I couldn’t make it, it’d be impossible to do
To leave everything and follow You

Everything to follow
Everything to follow
Everything to follow You

But what is my petty offering compared to Your sacrifice?
I gave up my home, but You left Paradise
And what You called me to offer has really set me free
‘Cause You left everything to be with me

So with joy I embrace a faith that calls me from home
And I will cling to Your promise that I am never alone
And with each passing moment I’ll keep hoping it’s true
I left everything to follow You

Everything to follow
Everything to follow
Everything to follow You

What’s that song? “Holy Spirit Have Your Way”

This past Sunday, at our Gracepoint Prayer Worship Service, we sang a new song, “Holy Spirit Have Your Way,” by Leeland. Here is a devotional written by one of the Leeland band members based on the song:

“I lay down my life, and pick up my cross. What a joy it is to give my life away to you. All that I need, all that I seek, is you here with me. Holy Spirit have your way in me.”

This is one of the most transformational prayers you’ll ever pray.  Simply giving your life away to God. What does that mean practically?

First, we have to realize that God cares about our dreams and aspirations, because He’s the one who gave them to us. The most content people in the world are those who’ve given everything they have to God with no questions asked. Total surrender. These people end up seeing their dreams come true because they’ve stopped trying to please people, and they live to please God. Can you imagine living that way? Well, you can!

Secondly, think about the fact that Jesus gave His life on the cross and then rose again three days later. Why? So we could go to heaven? Yes, but that’s not all. He rose again, so we could be sure that we don’t serve a dead God. He’s living inside of you if you’ve made Him your Lord. That means that He’s given you the ability to surrender just like he did! (Lk 22:42) We can do the things Jesus did, and more. (Jn 14:12-13)

What are your dreams? What are your ambitions? I can assure you, the second you just sacrifice them and give them back to God you’ll see them come true in due time. Stop striving, and surrender just like Jesus did. His plan is the best and His timing is impeccable. (Pr. 19:21)

Holy Spirit have YOUR way!

Holy Spirit Have Your Way

Long after the tears fall, I’m still Your child
I’ve put down my defenses, laid down my pride
Love and forgiveness flow deep and wide
So I’ll run to You and surrender all

As I lay down my life
And pick up my cross
What a joy it is to give my life away to You
All that I need
And all that I seek
Is You here with me
Holy Spirit, have Your way in me

In times of trouble, though trials may come
The rock of ages is standing strong
I’m fighting battles but the war is won
So I’ll run to you and surrender all

More of You and less of me
God, more of You and less of me
God, more of You and less of me
God, more of You overflowing

Gracepoint Prayer Worship Service Praise Lyrics

Each week, we will be posting the lyrics to the songs and hymns that we sing at our Prayer Worship Service. We hope that this will be a useful resource, and that these lyrics will continue to bless you and strengthen your convictions during the week.

Holy Spirit Have Your Way

Long after the tears fall, I’m still Your child
I’ve put down my defenses, laid down my pride
Love and forgiveness flow deep and wide
So I’ll run to You and surrender all

As I lay down my life
And pick up my cross
What a joy it is to give my life away to You
All that I need
And all that I seek
Is You here with me
Holy Spirit, have Your way in me

In times of trouble, though trials may come
The rock of ages is standing strong
I’m fighting battles but the war is won
So I’ll run to you and surrender all

More of You and less of me
God, more of You and less of me
God, more of You and less of me
God, more of You overflowing

Salvation Is Here

God above all the world in motion
God above all my hopes and fears
And I don’t care what the world throws at me now
It’s gonna be alright

Hear the sound of the generations
Making loud their freedom song
All in all that the world would know Your name
It’s gonna be alright

‘Cause I know my God saved the day
And I know His word never fails
And I know my God made a way for me
Salvation is here

Salvation is here
Salvation is here and He lives in me
Salvation is here
Salvation that died just to set me free
Salvation is here
‘Cause You are alive and You live in me

You Hold Me Now

On that day when I see
All that You have for me
When I see You face to face
There surrounded by Your grace
All my fears swept away

In the light of Your embrace
Where Your love is all I need
And forever I am free

Where the streets are made of gold
In Your presence healed and whole
Let the songs of heaven rise to You alone

No weeping no hurt or pain
No suffering You hold me now
You hold me now
No darkness no sick or lame
No hiding You hold me now
You hold me now

In this life I will stand
Through my joy and my pain
Knowing there’s a greater day
There’s a hope that never fails
Where Your Name is lifted high
And forever praises rise
For the glory of Your Name
I’m believing for the day

Where the wars and violence cease
All creation lives in peace
Let the songs of heaven rise to You alone

For eternity
All my heart will give
All the glory to Your Name

Close to Thee

Thou my everlasting portion,
more than friend or life to me,
all along my pilgrim journey,
Savior, let me walk with thee.

Close to thee, close to thee,
Close to thee, close to thee,
All along my pilgrim journey,
Savior, let me walk with thee.

Not for ease or worldly pleasure,
nor for fame my prayer shall be;
gladly will I toil and suffer,
only let me walk with thee.

Lead me through the vale of shadows,
bear me o’er life’s fitful sea;
then the gate of life eternal
may I enter, Lord, with thee.

Pastor Ed’s Favorites: Precious Lord, Take My Hand

We wanted to feature here some of Pastor Ed Kang’s favorite praise songs! Most of them are oldies but goodies, and we often get to sing them at our mid-week prayer meetings.

This week’s song is: Precious Lord, Take My Hand. The song was written by Thomas A. Dorsey, known as “the father of gospel music.” He penned this song in his grief after his wife died in childbirth along with their infant son while he was away at a revival meeting.

Dorsey: “I learned that when we are in our deepest grief, when we feel farthest from God, that is when He is closest, and when we are most open to His restoring power. And so I go on living for God willingly and joyfully, until that day comes when He will take me and gently lead me home.”

PRECIOUS LORD, TAKE MY HAND
G                        G7
Precious Lord, take my hand
C                 Am7
Lead me on, let me stand
G       D       Em     Am7    D
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn
G                                G7
Through the storm, through the night
C              Am7
Lead me on to the light
G                        D                      G
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

When my way grows drear
Precious Lord linger near
When my light is almost gone
Hear my cry, hear my call
Hold my hand lest I fall
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

When the darkness appears
And the night draws near
And the day is past and gone
At the river I stand
Guide my feet, hold my hand
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

Glory to God Forever

Here’s a new song we’ve been singing here at Gracepoint Berkeley, first at Fall Retreat 2009 and then at Missions Night, that has blessed so many of us. Check out the video below of Steve Fee talking about the song.

GLORY TO GOD FOREVER
Capo 4

G/B            C                           G                        D
Before the world was made, before you spoke it to be
G/B                  C                      G                      D
You were the King of Kings, Yes you were, yes you were
G/B                       C                    G                       D
And now you’re reigning still, Enthroned above all things
G/B              C                      G                        D
Angels and saints cry out, We join them as we sing

C              G       D            Em
Glory to God, Glory to God
C                     G         D
Glory to God, Forever (2x)

Creator God you gave me breath so I could praise
Your great and matchless name, all my days, all my days
So let my whole life be a blazing offering
A life that shouts and sings the greatness of the King

C                           G
Take my life and let it be
D                        Em
All for you and for your glory
C                           G                    D
Take my life and let it be yours (2x)

Praiseband Bloopers: Lord Reign in Me

Hey there readers of Gracepoint Worship blog, just wanted to announce a new genre here called Praiseband Bloopers. Aside from what you see on Fridays and Sundays, we are all human and do make the mistakes. Just to prove that point and hopefully add some joy to your day, here’s the first one.

The context (From David):

It was the weekend of the college retreat with Pastor Ed and Kelly Kang, so Sunday Worship Service  at Berkeley Gracepoint was just the Praxis group.  As a result, we had a certain Praxis director whos four letter name starts with T and ends with Y leading along with Po, Richard on drums, Eric (electric guitar debut), guitar (I think Eileen), bass (Richard teej) and singers Debbie and myself. The reason why it happened was because we were supposed to repeat the last chorus, but as the song was going I think people forgot or were unsure and at the last minute decided to bail out which left him hanging.  ouch.  the cost of being the praise leader I guess.  :)

Favorite worship song @ Gracepoint? Suggestions?

hillsong-united-look-to-you-album-cover

Hey there members of Gracepoint Fellowship Church, Berkeley! We did this survey a long time ago but I’d like to bring it back. What is your favorite song to sing during worship times? OR What songs would you like to sing? Please leave a comment with your favorite song title and artist as your feedback is important! I will compile the stats for the top 10 songs and artists submitted.

Gracepoint Berkeley – Home Worship Services

Summer has arrived and home worship services are now in full swing here at Gracepoint Berkeley, where every Sunday, groups of 30-50 people are squeezing into our members’ homes around Alameda to meet for worship service.

What this means for Gracepoint worship is that each home worship group, using whatever talent they have, is basically learning to lead praise at a small church this summer! No more pro-presenter, no more awesome stage design, and no more cool moving lights. Enter the bongo drum, shaker, and acoustic guitar, like Steven and Joe did this past week at their Koinonia home worship service.

So come join us at one of our many locations this summer to worship in our new, yet old-school, worship format. Who knows, maybe we’ll even bring back the overhead projector and handwritten transparencies!

For those who have been attending our home worship services, comment here on how they’ve been going!

Sunday Recap: May 10th, 2009

What was the name of that song again? If you are wondering what songs we sang during praise today, check here as I’ll be posting the praise set weekly. 

WORSHIP SET:

Now That You’re Near – Hillsong

Alabaster Jar – Gateway Worship

Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) – Chris Tomlin

Gracepoint Fellowship Church Worship Team

Good Friday and Easter Service

Here are some pics from our 2009 Good Friday and Easter service, enjoy! For more pictures you can visit the Gracepoint photo stream.